Berkshire Orthopedics LLC

A Division of Keystone Orthopaedic Specialists, LLC

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How to Find the Best Shoulder Pain Doctor Near Me

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shoulder pain doctor near me

Sports injuries, aging and overuse of the shoulder joint can all potentially lead to pain, discomfort, stiffness, swelling and decreased function in the shoulder. Living with persistent shoulder symptoms at any age can affect your quality of life. If symptoms are more severe, they may even keep you from performing your occupation or participating in hobbies you love. Finding a skilled, compassionate shoulder pain doctor near me early on can help you avoid worsening symptoms, resolve your shoulder issue and get back to living a pain-free life. In this article, we’ll offer guidelines for selecting the most qualified orthopedic specialist to treat a shoulder problem.

How to Find the Best Shoulder Pain Doctor Near Me

  • Choose an orthopedic surgeon – In many cases, shoulder injuries and conditions can be effectively managed with nonsurgical treatments. However, operative intervention is sometimes needed to fully alleviate symptoms. Just in case conservative methods fail to abate your shoulder symptoms and you decide to undergo surgery, you’ll want to be under the care of an orthopedic surgeon. This way, you won’t have to switch providers, and your shoulder specialist will already be familiar with your unique situation and treatment plan.
  • Look for someone with board certification – In order to become board certified in their field, a medical professional must pass a specialty-specific exam. In turn, having this certification confirms that the doctor is equipped with the specialized knowledge and skills needed to offer the highest level of care.
  • Find someone who’s committed to your recovery – For any type of shoulder condition or injury, prompt treatment is essential to avoid further cartilage damage and increasing severity of shoulder symptoms. Thus, it’s key to see a shoulder specialist who takes your issue seriously and is dedicated to providing an accurate diagnosis and cutting-edge treatment right away.

Dr. Soffer Offers World-Class Shoulder Care with Personalized Attention

Patients seeking the top shoulder pain doctor near me in the Reading, PA area can entrust Dr. Stephen Soffer with their care. Among his extensive qualifications, Dr. Soffer has received board certification from the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery and completed a sports medicine fellowship with world-renowned sports surgeon Dr. James Andrews.

To help you resolve your shoulder issue, Dr. Soffer will take your personal circumstances into account and guide you to the most appropriate course of treatment for your individual case. Call our office at 610-375-4949 to arrange a time to meet with Dr. Soffer and get on the road to recovering from your shoulder problem.

How Long Does Shoulder Surgery Take?

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How long does shoulder surgery take Often, injuries and conditions involving the shoulder joint can be treated without surgery. However, if conservative treatment fails to resolve symptoms, shoulder surgery may be the next recommended step. How long does shoulder surgery take, typically? This is among the questions patients frequently ask when considering surgical treatment for a lingering shoulder issue. Let’s discuss the timeline you can reasonably expect for preoperative preparation, the actual procedure and postoperative recovery.

How Long Does Shoulder Surgery Take?

If you are considering surgery for a shoulder problem, here are some guidelines on what you can anticipate in terms of the procedure duration and recovery:

  • Before surgery – Depending on the specific procedure and the patient’s preference, shoulder surgery may be performed under general or regional anesthesia. Keep in mind that anesthesia administration will add to the total amount of time spent at the surgery center.
  • The procedure – How long does shoulder surgery take to perform? Generally speaking, shoulder surgery is completed in around 1-2 hours. Factors affecting the exact length of your shoulder procedure will include whether the surgery is arthroscopic or open, as well as the location/severity of the shoulder damage to be repaired.
  • After surgery – Following arthroscopic shoulder surgery, patients can typically expect to return home the same day, after spending around 1-2 hours in the recovery room. For open shoulder surgery, an overnight hospital stay may be required.

Your orthopedic surgeon will provide detailed instructions on how to manage any discomfort and care for your operated shoulder following surgery. They will also give you an overview of what to expect in terms of your individual rehabilitation. For an example shoulder surgery recovery timeline, see our resource on what to expect following rotator cuff surgery.

Dr. Soffer: Committed to Providing the Highest Level of Orthopedic Care

If shoulder pain is disrupting your life, it may be time to explore treatment options with an experienced orthopedic surgeon such as Dr. Stephen Soffer. Proudly providing his orthopedic expertise to patients in and around Reading, PA, Dr. Soffer offers a full range of surgical and nonsurgical treatment options for shoulder problems.

If surgery is needed to restore shoulder function and alleviate a patient’s symptoms, Dr. Soffer prioritizes arthroscopic surgery whenever possible. As compared to traditional open procedures, shoulder arthroscopy generally offers the benefits of minimal trauma, less damage to surrounding tissue and, in turn, a shorter recovery time. To schedule an appointment to explore cutting-edge shoulder treatment options with Dr. Soffer, call our office at 610-375-4949.

How To Choose the Best Arthroscopic Knee Surgeons

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Knee pain and dysfunction can plague everyone from young athletes to older, less active individuals. Fortunately, there are a wide range of treatments available to help alleviate discomfort and restore normal knee function. If first-line, nonsurgical treatments fail to provide sufficient relief, arthroscopic knee surgery is often the next recommended step in a patient’s treatment plan. When considering this procedure, it’s important to make sure you’ve found the best arthroscopic knee surgeons in your area. Today, we’ll provide helpful tips on what to look for in an orthopedic surgeon.

How To Choose the Best Arthroscopic Knee Surgeons

Here are three credentials that all the best arthroscopic knee surgeons will possess:

  1. Extensive Training – The more experience and achievements a surgeon has, the more you can depend on them to deliver the highest level of care. Having completed a sports medicine fellowship with world-renowned sports surgeon Dr. James Andrews, Dr. Stephen Soffer is a leading expert in the diagnosis and treatment of all knee issues. He specializes in both open and arthroscopic knee surgery, utilizing nonoperative or minimally invasive treatments whenever possible.
  2. Ongoing Board Certification – Being board certified indicates that an orthopedic surgeon has passed a specialty-specific exam verifying their qualifications and knowledge in the field. Dr. Soffer maintains board certification from the American Board of Orthopedic Surgery. Further, he holds certification in the treatment of cartilage injuries in the knee with articular cartilage implantation. Dr. Soffer holds a dual certification in both orthopedics and in sports medicine.
  3. Outstanding Patient Reviews – Successful treatment of knee issues requires skillful care from a doctor who considers the patient’s unique circumstances and what will ultimately be best for them. Dr. Soffer is known for providing compassionate, individualized care to patients of all ages – and his highly positive online testimonials fully demonstrate this.

Owing to his expertise and commitment to improving mobility and quality of life for his patients, Dr. Soffer was chosen as a Top Orthopedic Surgeon for 2020 by Pennsylvania Magazine. Additionally, he recently received the Healthgrades Joint Replacement Excellence Award for the eighth consecutive year.

Count On Dr. Soffer for Exceptional Orthopedic Care in Berks County 

If you are seeking the most qualified doctor to provide an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment for a knee injury or condition, look no further than Dr. Stephen Soffer. Whether your knee problem can be addressed with conservative methods or surgery is required to attain optimal recovery, Dr. Soffer will provide cutting-edge treatment with an emphasis on your comfort. To arrange an appointment with him, call our office at 610-375-4949.

How To Identify and Treat Trigger Finger Symptoms

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trigger finger symptoms Stenosing tenosynovitis – more commonly known as trigger finger – is a painful condition marked by an inability to move one’s finger or thumb from a bent position. Trigger finger can affect anyone, although it is particularly common in those who use their hands and grip objects repeatedly for a job or hobby. The condition may be isolated to a single finger or thumb, or it may affect multiple digits on one or both hands. This article will explain how to recognize trigger finger symptoms and find effective treatment that will help to resolve them.

How To Identify and Treat Trigger Finger Symptoms

Trigger finger develops due to irritation and inflammation of the tendon sheath. This, in turn, impedes movement of the involved digits. Trigger finger symptoms may range from mild to severe, with symptoms tending to be worse in the morning. Patients with trigger finger may report:

  • Inability to straighten the affected finger or thumb from a bent position
  • Stiffness and discomfort
  • A clicking/popping sensation with movement
  • Tenderness in the palm of the affected hand
  • A bump at the base of the affected finger or thumb

Trigger finger can make it difficult or painful to perform your occupation and other essential daily activities. If symptoms persist, you may benefit from exploring treatment with a skilled orthopedic physician. First-line therapies recommended for trigger finger might include:

  • Taking a break from activities that require prolonged gripping or grasping
  • Wearing a finger splint to take strain off the tendon
  • Taking nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to help manage pain
  • Performing stretching exercises to keep the finger mobile

If your symptoms do not improve with conservative treatment, your orthopedic doctor may suggest considering steroid injections or trigger finger release surgery.

Dr. Soffer Provides Advanced Orthopedic Care in Reading, PA

If you are noticing signs associated with trigger finger, you can trust Dr. Stephen Soffer to help by providing effective, individualized treatment. As part of his rigorous training, Dr. Soffer completed a fellowship in sports medicine with Dr. James Andrews, a world-renowned sports surgeon.

Today, Dr. Soffer holds board certification in orthopedic surgery and proudly offers all of the latest, most advanced surgical & nonsurgical treatment options. To get started on the road to healing, call our office at 610-375-4949 and schedule an appointment with Dr. Soffer today.

Treatment for SLAP Tear Shoulder Pain

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The shoulder is a ball-and-socket joint made up of tendons, muscles and bones. Lining the socket is a cup-shaped piece of supportive, stabilizing cartilage called the labrum. One of the most common injuries affecting the labrum is a SLAP (Superior Labrum Anterior and Posterior) tear. As implied by the name, both the front (anterior) and back (posterior) portion of the labrum are involved in this injury. Depending on the severity, SLAP tear shoulder pain can be quite intense. Additionally, a SLAP tear may cause decreased strength and mobility in the affected shoulder.

Treatment for SLAP Tear Shoulder Pain

Symptoms of a labrum tear may appear following an acute incident such as a fall or car accident, or they may develop over time with repetitive overhead motion or normal shoulder wear and tear. In any case, there are a range of viable treatment options available to help relieve discomfort, restore range of motion and promote healing of a SLAP tear. Many patients experience significant improvement from some combination of the following nonsurgical treatments:

  • Time off from physical activity – Resting the affected shoulder is nearly always recommended to facilitate healing and prevent a labral tear from worsening.
  • Medication – Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications are often prescribed to help reduce shoulder pain and swelling stemming from a SLAP tear.
  • Physical therapy – For some patients, physical therapy exercises may be helpful in returning shoulder mobility and function to pre-injury levels.

If first-line methods fail to provide sufficient relief from SLAP tear shoulder pain, arthroscopic labral repair may be recommended as the next step in treatment. A type of minimally invasive labrum tear surgery, this procedure allows your orthopedic surgeon to reattach the torn tissues and restore stability in the shoulder joint, without open surgery.

Dr. Stephen Soffer is highly skilled and experienced in performing this cutting-edge procedure. During his extensive training, Dr. Soffer completed a fellowship in sports medicine with world-renowned sports surgeon Dr. James Andrews. Now, he educates other surgeons on shoulder arthroscopy as a Master Instructor for the Arthroscopy Association of North America.

Count On Dr. Soffer for Expert, Individualized Shoulder Care in Berks County, PA

If you are living with persistent shoulder pain, Dr. Soffer is here to help you create an effective plan to address it. Offering a comprehensive range of nonsurgical and surgical treatments for shoulder issues, he is dedicated to helping patients of all ages heal fully, with the shortest possible recovery time. If you are located in or near Berks County, PA, call our office at 610-375-4949 to schedule an appointment with the area’s most qualified & compassionate shoulder doctor.

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